Spacers for Lathe Live Center

vjgrevem · Post by **vjgrevem** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:58 pm

In the Lathe Duplicator section in PTWFE, it lists the minimum spindle lengths as:
6-1/4" with cup center
5-3/4" with live center and no spacer
4-1/4" with live center and one spacer
2-3/4" with live center and two spacers

As I understand it, the spacers are rods screwed in between the tapered end and the bearing end of the live center to extend the reach by about 1.5 inches. Apparently you can add up to two spacers. I'd like to use the floating tool rest and work table to work on spindles shorter than 6", so I'll have to order the spacers. The item number is #514704, they are $5 something each and on backorder.

Anyone ever use these spacers? How much runout does it add?

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:11 pm

I have two spacers (I think I paid less that $5 for both plus shipping), I have not noticed run-out but I am turning very short items . You can also purchase a #2 Morse taper extender in various qualities for between $10-$25 depending on where it is made and quality that will do the same thing. I have both and have used both when turning very, very thin items. Picture below is just an example of uses.

fixit · Post by **fixit** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:39 pm

Picture? I don't see one.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:46 am

Looks like the picture did not attach.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3342

The thread above has several pictures and URL's to buy the many different solutions.

vjgrevem · Post by **vjgrevem** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 11:20 am

Thanks Paul. I've ordered two spacers. They are backordered and customer service had no idea when they might come in.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:56 pm

vjgrevem wrote:Thanks Paul. I've ordered two spacers. They are backordered and customer service had no idea when they might come in.

Lately (last couple of months), the "backorder reports" that I have read on this forum wood suggest that SS is doing a much better job then they have in the past year or so before that. Customer Service has been bitten a couple of times by promising (expected) delivery dates that do knot materialize. Cross your fingers, you may get it sooner then you think!:)

vjgrevem · Post by **vjgrevem** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:16 pm

I hope it won't take real long, but it won't kill me to wait - I can work around it in the meantime.

I don't imagine SS gets many orders for these spacers, so if some fabricator is making the spacers for them, it might be a while until they get enough to warrant a production run.

rdubbs · Post by **rdubbs** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:29 am

Hi,

I placed an order for a spacer, along with the new miter gauge, about 3 weeks ago and got everything in a week.